The Liberal Democrat party, perhaps alone of all the parties in the UK, has a healthy culture of debate and freedom of thought. It isn't entirely free of ideology, sadly, but it is much better at evidence-based policy setting than the others. We have seen evidence of this in both Vince's U-turn on fees and the larger switch from support for slow to fast deficit reduction. On both occasions the party tried to make it clear that the change in opinion was brought about by being in possession of new facts they had been unaware of prior to being in government.

While We The People continue to chalk U-turns up as weaknesses instead of viewing them as the healthy reaction to a changing situation that they more usually are, we will continue to suffer higher than necessary levels of poor policy making.

This is relevant to the above post because it means that a surprisingly high level of rebellion from back bench Lib Dems may actually point to a party culture that is more tolerant of its MPs holding different views than the other parties are. If so, rather than presaging a "split" it may demonstrate a very happy party full of MPs who feel they have the freedom to make their opinions known without fear of recriminations.

For a coalition to function, it is very important that both parties feel able to express their distinct "voice" and how better to achieve that than through a little back-bench rebellion? That may also explain the surprisingly high level of Tory rebellion and, if it does, it points, perhaps counterintuitively, to a coalition that is functioning at a very high level.

I'm not inside those MPs heads, so I don't know if that's true or not, but it is an alternative hypothesis that you're unlikely to read in the press because it doesn't fit their narrative of a coalition about to crumble at any moment. Of course, the press narrative doesn't fit any of the evidence, but since when has the evidence mattered to most journalists?!

@Sam 08 November 2010 at 18:48

"Labour have given up socialism now so there's nothing to stop them."

"socialist policies that Labour has crippled our country with."

Interesting so you believe that, 1 Labour aren't socialists, and 2 Labour are destroying us with their socialism.

Oh well, better luck next time. Thankfully there's nothing self-contradictory about being stupid and a Tory, at least there you are ideologically consistent.

I think whats been made clear over the last 6 months that theres a very clear right wing bias and indeed ideology within the libdems,cable,kennedy et al are happy with being in a party thats "in power" so whatever minor left wing thoughts they have have been tossed out the window and to hell with the public.

Of course its been done in the national interest of course.

Your commets show a stagering level navitey.

all party had exces to government spending and debts reviews, it is not some secret docement kept under rap. the ConDem are just spinning the line that "we didn't know how bad it was..." as their get out of jail free card.

Just ask yourself this why are the majority of the cuts going to effort the poor and unwell (cap on housing befint, VAT raise, billions cut in wealthfare, child tax credit cut, EMA allowence, interest rate on student loans ect)

In addition, the top up fee are not progessive or better off. They say they are getting rid of upfornt fee, however, majority of students pay their fees with tution fee Loan.
most of the thing Lib harp on about that they brought in a not worth the paper they are written on. 3% above inflation on student loans, allows these loans to be treated as commerical loans. how is this progessive.

making Uk have the second most expense state university fees. when other countries are increasing H.E. funding (i.e. germany, USA, Canada ect)

You can see how uncomfortable Vice Cable is with these decison when you see him on debate panels ( has a look of a frighted man).

I hope that Lib dem backbenches vote against this. If not they deserve to be anhilnated in the election.

I really feel the social democrats in the Lib Dems should go and join Labour. Labour have given up socialism now so there's nothing to stop them.

We have the potential to make our country a better place and we can't allow the people who think the government should enslave the public to its will succeed it stopping us overturning the deadweight of socialist policies that Labour has crippled our country with.

Each rebellion is carefully weighed so that won't bring down the Government - because for the LDs it's about being in power, not about what's the right thing to do. For the Tories, they are laughing up their sleeves because they were not going to get into government, now they have these shmucks holding their coats for them.

The LDs will go along with IDS forced labour scheme. It will be up to others such as the unions, liberty etc, to go to court and quote A4.2 of the European Convention and get it kicked into touch. Nothing less will do.

Jan Cosgrove - you do realise it was Labour who introduced the 'forced labour scheme', don't you?

Jeremiah - Untill Labour stop destroying the poor and disadvantaged in Britain, I will stay right here spreading the liberal gospel. Emancipation not subjugation! xxx